Freedom of Sp**ch

It’s funny, the power that one man can have. If he is smart enough. Clever enough. Can foresee more than ten steps ahead of himself, and not have to look back to see the broader scope of things.

It’s funny. How a man can find water in a desert that hasn’t rained for months. Collect blood from a stone. The one and only stone among thousands of other empty stones. How would he know? And what would he do with it?

We have had the fortune to come across this very sort of man in our lifetime. And unlike those few before him, he has made himself known to the world. In most all other cases, only a handful of people laid eyes upon such a legend, knowing the capabilities such a man possessed. But this one is different. This one is special. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

He is known to the world as Julian Assange. He is a journalist. An activist. And now internationally recognised as something of a terrorist.

His methods are simple: Share the truth, as much of it that can be gathered, at all costs. His means, how he gathers this information, is still yet unclear. It is only known that others sympathise with his cause, and have chosen to share confidential, classified (though not top-secret) cables to and from key players in international politics and the Global War on Terror.

Some would argue that merely obtaining this information is a crime. That this kind of information, in the wrong hands, can be turned into a deadly weapon. That it threatens national stability, national security, and that releasing this kind of information to the naive masses can only lead to an overreaction. That it can lead to protests, to mobs, to riots; to violence. That the only inevitable conclusion is anarchy and chaos springing from pockets all across the country, across the globe, spreading out, and closing in the worlds leaders.

And so, the natural reaction to this, from the standpoint of Washington, London, Kabul, and pretty much every other nation documented, or whose reputations have been affected by the release of these leaked documents, has been to condemn these leaks. Naturally, the first reaction was to discredit the validity of the content. However, as this has proven fruitless, they proposed the argument of national security. So what did they do? The cut him off at his sources. They cut him off from his bank account. They suspended service to his sites. They convinced PayPal to discontinue service with him. And even Visa and MasterCard have broken relations with him. In other words, as his sites (non-profit, I might add) had been funded by public donations, they decided to pull him out by the roots; one by one. And in the meanwhile, built up false allegations, collecting false accounts of sexual misconduct, and calling for his extradition to Sweden. In other words, since his work has been widely accepted and praised, the only thing left was to invalidate the material by discrediting the man behind it.

Enlightenment With The Help Of A Few Shadows

So now he is in custody, and without bail. Some say he is better off there than if he were to remain a free man. For inevitably, there is at least one bullet with his name on it in every country. The Powers that Be, those who truly make the world go ’round, must be quite impressed; and equally infuriated. He has done the one thing that so many conspiracy theorists, anti-federalists, anti-globalists, and anarchists have dreamed of doing, yet failed to achieve. Which is why he has the envy, admiration, and allegiance of thousands all across the world.

All of the forums have been abuzz since his work was first made known. But of course, that always calmed as a new sensational story blitzed the headlines and teleprompters. Yet every time it has come up, another leak, another video or document containing material of public interest, the public once had shown interest. Each time, increasing his following. And the more they condemned him in the spotlight, the more support he gained in the shadows.

And today, he has the support of some very special shadows. Those whose work is best achieved in the dark. For while his aim is to enlighten others to the truth, he has now, at his aid, the service of those who would bring darkness to his enemies. Those who would cut him off are being cut off. Those who would betray him are so being sabotaged. It is almost Karmic in nature. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And yet, none of this came as a surprise. These shadows, you see, though hidden, have made no effort to stray from the public eye. Their voices, their echoes, have all been heard and read loud and clear. Whoever makes themselves any enemy of those who would remain Anonymous, whoever would stand against their will and freedom, their values; whoever would suppress the truth, oppress the masses, they are all equally targets in the eyes of the Anonymous. Though, some have proven to hold a higher priority than others.

A Simple Proposition

As the author of this article, I find it is my duty to share with you my thoughts, my feelings on this whole affair. You see, I do not condemn this man, Julian Assange. I do not condemn his sentiments or actions. To the contrary, I believe, whole heartedly that this man is right. Or, at least, that his actions are truly what is best for this world.

This man surely could be a stunt. His work might not have been his own. This agenda might not even be what we have all made it out to be. It could yet be a distraction. Giving us a little bit of truth, making us feel satisfied with a few, harmless cables, feeling like we’ve gotten the real story, meanwhile remaining blinder than ever, if that is even possible. In other words, he could merely be a puppet, and experiment, and all of this information did not merely fall into his hands, but was given to him from the source, instructing him exactly how and what to do with it.

Indeed, even as a he fulfilled his obligation, it is possible that they chose to dispose of him once he rendered himself useless. Another terrorist, now caught. Look at what good the world has done! And these allegations, perhaps they are true? Perhaps they are not. In any case, what ever is his true cause, whatever were his real ambitions, personal behaviours, I believe that good has come of all of this. And this man, if even a puppet, or a truly a criminal, must be recognised for the global icon that he has become. He is a symbol of truth, of the freedom of information. And has made an impact that perhaps the global Powers that Be yet underestimated. Perhaps he did his job too well, and that is why they would want to rid themselves of him so soon?

In any case, whatever he truly is, has become an inspiration to me, all of my friends and family, and thousands upon thousands of others — possibly in the millions even. The real numbers may not be known for quite some time, if at all. Personally, I believe this matter can and will be forgotten in very little time at all. Man has a fickle attention span, and even fickler memory. Some might describe it as selective. I for one find that selection is very often made by everyone else but the man who possesses those memories. They change the environment. Change the scenario. Create a new scandal, and smother the old one. Meanwhile, let the U.N. charge him with innumerable crimes, and sentence him to a penalty worse than death. It must be known to all journalists the consequence of such actions, while keeping such an outcome private from the eyes and ears of the rest of the world. Something of an open secret: Clear and lethal.

I fear for this man, and I fear for the knowledge that he has set out to share with the world. And I fear for the consequence of these battles. For if he is shot down now, the world will do everything it can to seal all every crevice, every crack, every leak. And every loose lip will be sown. Every eager hand cut off. Every curious eye gouged out. Tyranny, and oppression on a level not yet witnessed by this world ever before. Yet never to be spoken of, all the same. We have already borne witness to the first stages of a fascist institution over these holidays. For it is the armour we wear, and the visors in our helmets that betray us. We are taught to trust the soldiers and yet, little by little, they have stripped us of our arms. We become more and more defenseless by the day, yet we are encouraged to have faith in our troops.

A Shot In the Dark

Do you still have faith in the troops? In national security? I trust the soldier, I don’t trust his trigger finger, or his commander. A man can be made to do terrible, unthinkable things in a time of war. Anyone could be a terrorist. Everyone could be a combatant.

A lie is a very powerful force to behold. It can be a spark, or the slightest caress of a domino. One wrong move, and it all comes down. One right move, and all your enemies can be wiped clean away.

Fast, efficient. A plan a long time in the making, swiftly executed. The world is being taken hostage, and we are just the beginning. Assange, if he ever gets out of this alive, could be the thread that unravels it all. How long before he is clipped, and lost forever? And who among you will seek to create other loose threads? If he is gone, will you continue his work? Or will you, like so many others, forget him soon after this media storm is all over? Will you believe the lies, the allegations against this man? The evidence will be compelling. How long before you give in and say, “maybe?” How long before you discount this man, and disregard all he worked to achieve? Your dreams crushed, back to work; business as usual. You didn’t really have time for this anyway. You have food to put on the table. So why were you rooting for him anyhow?

Such Pretty Words, But Life’s No Story Book

Such dreams are so beautiful, and so attractive when they are most fragile. It is that intangibility, that duality that they possess that catches our minds’ eyes. Dreams of fighting, of changing this unbearable reality before us. And it is equally, if not more unbearable knowing the fact that, for as much we would want to change it all, it is only our lack of courage that separates these dreams from reality. The courage to stand through it all. To face a world against you. A world resistant to upsetting the status quo. To face the world is to forsake your own. And that is a very uncomfortable state of affairs. Few have manifested the courage to do it. And those who have were quickly forgotten. And we don’t want to be forgotten. Not when if we are willing to give up so much? Why then would it be worth it? What left could we hold on to? A better life, a better way? Hah! If we’re going to fail anyhow, why then must they be also in vain? Who will follow after us? Who will take up the torch and keep moving on?

I don’t know. Who believes in faery tales anymore? Let’s just call it a night. Honey, please? Just. Turn off the TV and come to bed already?

Click!

Good night, honey. Tears stream down from twinkling eyes reflecting a broken heart and spirit.

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About ☤ T.S. Vandenberg

I am nothing if not my mind. My words are a reflection of my mind. Within them, I am eternal. Without them, I am lost eternally.
As you continue to read, a convergence of minds begins to takes place. My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts. Within you, I may linger. Without you, I am exhibited.